90-year-old man killed in London after being blown into bus

A 90-year-old man has died after apparently being blown into the side of a bus by a gust of wind as Storm Desmond hit the country.

The pensioner died near Finchley Central station in north London, said a Scotland Yard spokesman.

The storm has brought strong winds and heavy rain, causing Cumbria - one of the worst affected areas - to declare a "major incident".

London's Met Police issued the following statement:

"Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 12:35hrs on Saturday, 5 December, to reports of a collision between a bus and a man at Chaville Way N3, near to Finchley Central station.

"The 90-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene at 13:15hrs. Officers believe they know the identity of the deceased and next of kin have been informed. Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

"Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances. At this early stage, officers believe the man was caught by a gust of wind and blown off the pavement against the side of a moving bus."